Chain lock



March 7, 16961 E. c. ELsNER CHAIN LOCK Filed Oct. 15, 1956 wm, nw Y Jl NN m. R M l T e m m E 0 mm V N W 0, m u 4 Nm C N W mf@ Mw Jv .mv NN nite States Patent i CHAIN LOCK Edwin C. Elsner, Glendale, Calif., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Aeroquip Corporation, Jackson, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Oct. 15, 1956, Ser. No. 615,820

3 Claims. (Cl. 24-116) This invention relates to a buckle for connecting the ends of a chain or the ends of two separate chains that have their opposite ends anchored, to place tension between said chain ends, whereby the same may be used for anchoring cargo and for similar and comparable purposes.

An object of the present invention is to provide a tension-creating buckle that employs a jack to create desired tension, the buckle being so designed as to enable removal of the jack after the tension is locked by means interconnecting the buckle and one chain end.

Another `object of the invention is to provide a buckle of the character referred to in which the jack, after removal as above indicated, may be replaced in operative condition to increase the tension and the increased tension locked as before to enable removal of the jack.

A further object of the invention is to provide a jackoperated buckle that is wholly connected to one chain end of two ends to be connected and uses the other chain end for placing tension between the ends and effecting a releasable lock between the buckle and said other chain end.

The invention is characterized by simplicity and low cost of construction, particularly because the jack that is employed is not a component part of the buckle but is a separate item that may be used on a plurality of buckles, as occasion arises.-

The invention also has for its objects to provide such means that are positive in operation, convenient in use, easily installed in a working position and easily disconnected therefrom, economical of manufacture, relatively simple, and of general superiority and serviceability.

The invention also comprises novel details of construction and novel combinations and arrangements of parts, which will more fully appear in the course of the following description. However, the drawing merely shows and Athe following description merely describes, one embodiment of the present invention, which is given by way of illustration or example only.

In the drawing, like reference characters designate similar parts in the several views.

Fig. l is a longitudinal sectional view of a jack-operated buckle according to the present invention. f

Fig. 2 is a side view, partly broken away.

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views as taken on the respective lines 3-3, 4-4 and 5-5 of Fig. 2.

The chain ends and 11 may be the ends of the same chain or the ends of two separate chains. In either case, 'the present buckle 12 is connected to chain end 10 and is adapted to be separably connected to chain end 11.

The buckle 12. that is illustrated comprises, generally, a preferably articulated frame 13, means 14 carried by and forming part of said frame to mount a jack 15 for placing tension between chain en d 11 and the frame and, therefore, the chain end 10, and means 16 interengaging the means 14 and the chain end 11 to lock the adjusted tension produced by the jack.

2,973,566 vI atexated Mar. 7, 1961 lice s 2 The buckle frame 13 comprises a cross bar 17 that is here shown as formed by similar plates 18 that are trans versely spaced by a member 19. Said plates and member may be weld-connected to impart unity to the cross bar. Intermediate its ends the bar 17 is provided with a bolt 20, the same connecting with the end link of chain end 10, substantially as shown.

The ends of the cross bar are provided with chain-con necting bolts 21, two equal lengths of chain 22 extending from said bolts 21. The flexibility and strength of chain lengths 22 is desired. However, cables or other connecting means may be substituted for chains 22.

The frame 13 is completed by a tubular member 23 which also comprises part of the means 14; as shown, member 23 is provided with opposite studs or the like 24 to which the chains 22 are connected.

In the above manner, the frame 13 denes a space 25 between the chains 22 at the sides and the bar 17 and tubular member 23 at the ends. It will be realized that such a frame would be strong to resist tensile forces applied between chain end 10 and member 23.

The jack 15 per se may be varied and the same may be hydraulically or screw operated, as desired. Regardless how otherwise made, said jack comprises telescopically engaged parts 26 and 27 that are extended or retracted as the jack is operated. In this case, the part 26 is provided with a foot 28 designed to have endwise engagement with tubular member 23, the foot being so form'ed as to provide clearance for chain end 11 when the same is introduced into member 23 and projecting, in part, into the space 25. Accordingly, the jack part 26 is offset with respect to foot 28 to provide the chain clearance above referred to. The other jack part 27 is provided with a preferably rigid bifurcation 29 that is adapted to engage between two links of chain end 11. While shown at an end of jack part 27, the bifurcation 29 maybe located at an intermediate part or even at the end most adjacent to the foot end of the jack.

It will be clear that, with the jack contracted and placed with its foot 28 against the member 23 and its bifurcation 29 engaged with a link of chain end 11 or between two connected links, extension of the jack parts 26 and 27, as by introducing hydraulic fluid at 30, will create forces pulling the chain ends 10 and 11 in opposite directions. Thus, the frame 13 will be placed in tension and said frame and jack 15 connect the chain ends.

The means 16 locks this tension-provided connection so that the jack may be removed. Said means 16 comprises a key 31 that is formed to have a bifurcation 32 and is adapted to be inserted transversely through oppositewindows or openings 33 formed in the sides of tubular able string or chain, to be available for use when needed.

In any case, after the chain end has been tensione'd, as

above described, the key is applied so the bifurcation is engaged over a chain link that is disposed edgewise to the windows 33 (see Fig. 3), and the next chain link, which is disposed at right angles, will then be transverse to the bifurcation (see Fig. 1). In this initial application of the key, the same will be loose. as can be understood.

-The means 16 also includes a locking member which is shown in the form of an externally threaded tube or hollow cylinder 34, the same being engaged with internal threads 35 provided in member 23. The end of tube 34 directed toward the chain end 10 is provided with a knurled flange 36. It will be evident that, after the key 31 is applied, the knurled ange of tube 34 may be manipulated through the openings alforded by the win dows 33 to be extended into engagement with the key and requiredthat is greater than the capacityl of-exte'ns'ionofl the jack, the maximum extension of 'said jack is ir'stused andthe resultant adjustment `of the'Y buckle is locked/by the means 16. kNow, the jack is re-applied: in the same manner as before, but with the bifurcation 29l now engaging a part of the chain `more remote frornthe end that was firstV engaged. Therefore, by using a step-by-step application of tension, as above, an adjustment between the chain ends 1G and 1I maybe eiected that is substantially longer than the buckle frame 13'; This mode of operation maybe carried out because the free end of chain 1i 'merely falls gravitationallyoutof the line of pull or operation of the buckle. i By making windows 33" of such length that the key 31 maybe applied regardless of the adjusted position of chain end 11 witburespect to member 23, and providing for proper extension of the jack, any adjustmentl of the buckle may be key-locked, as above described.

While the foregoing hasv illustrated and described what is now contemplated to be the best mode of carrying out my invention, the construction is, of course, subject to y Having thusdescribed my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a buckle for connecting two chain ends, a tubular member connected to one chain end and having side openings, the other chainend being adapted to pass longitudinally through said member and to be iirmly locked against tension at any desired place on the chain, a transverse key applied to the chain through said openings, and

'- an adjustable member carried by the tubular member to engage againstthe key, said adjustable member being ony the endV of the tubular member away fromthe chainY end connected thereto.

2. In a buckle according to claim 1, the adjustable member being threadedly connected to theV tubular member and the adjustment thereof being eiiected by finger manipulation through the mentioned openings.

3. In `a buckle according to claim l, the key being v formed with a bifurcation to pass over a link of said chain modification without departing from the spirit and scope end and to engage against an adjacent link.

Rererenceseicgdin the sie of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 365,545 sharp June 2s, 1887 1,537,070v Dixon y, y -,May 12, 19.25 1,853,605 fziiainaersj;` Apr. 1 2, 1932 1,950,923-` Johnson Mar, 13, 1934 ,2,010,713 Countryman f-, Aug. 6, 1935 2,797,891 Macciuney agf July 2, 1957 5 FOREIGN PATENTS 49h46@ Canada 1211.26.1954 873,365; 

